Identification of rig and person at group events

Identification of people and property participating in a group
event serves several purposes. The identification as a member of the
group means people are not alone and they belong to something they
believe is worthwhile. It breaks down barriers to help folks reach
out and say hello. Identification also helps encourage interest in
the group by those who are not a part of the group yet notice its
identifying marks.

The WBCCI
has guidelines for identification that they have found useful on
their caravans. These include rig numbers and personal name tags.

Identify

Why and How

Rig

The big red numbers you see on WBCCI member RV's are used to
assist in caravan management. Other organizations also use large
identifying numbers and even governments use this mechanism in
the form of license plates. At a rally site, these also serve the
same purpose as street numbers on houses.

Individual

Name badges should be worn by participants in a caravan or
rally at any gathering of the members. These badges should be
more than the generic stick on types you can purchase at the
office supply store. They need to clearly identify the wearer as
part of the group as well as the name of the individual.

Call signs

Call signs are nicknames that are usually self applied. The
idea is to have a unique simple name to use to establish identity
in group conversations at distance such as over the CB radio. For
media requiring license, such as amateur radio, special call
signs are assigned by the licensing authority.

Logos and Symbols

A logo or symbol is like a pictorial nickname used to quickly
identify the group. Large organizations will often have a logo
and their local chapters or units may also have logos. Sometimes
even major activities such as caravans or rallies may have a
specific logo to identify that particular activity. Logos and
symbols aid in quick recognition of bulletin boards and publicity
materials and can also be placed on name tags and other
identifiers to assist in placing the person or property with the
group or activity.

Property

Participants and activity inventory managers should also see
that their property is identified. Anything that will be used
outside of the rig, such as chairs, glasses, dinnerware,
fittings, hoses, cables, chocks, or even clothes should be marked
so that its owner can be found if it is misplaced or lost.

Privacy

The privacy of information about participants must not be
ignored. This is why names of individuals should not be displayed
except on the individual's person or with permission or as per
established precedent (e.g. news items). Always keep information
such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, or any
financial account numbers under close supervision guided by well
defined procedure and policy.